Sir Meatball is already internet famous. Now he’s ready for Dogchella
You may have heard of California’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Memphian Mary Lauren Bobango Stewart liked the concept, but wanted to invite some furry friends.
Mary Lauren Bobango Stewart, momager of English bulldogs (left) Milkshake and (right) Sir Meatball. The crew will host Dogchella on May 22. (Credit: Phillip Van Zandt)
Enter Dogchella, which serves as a celebration of Stewart’s English bulldog’s Sir Meatball’s birthday. Sir Meatball and his bulldog nephew Milkshake are veritable local celebrities, having more than 26,000 followers on Instagram and 3.5 million views on TikTok.
Dogchella takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at Grind City Brewing Co., 76 Waterworks Ave. The free event will include live music performances, discounted draft beers, and food from Albees Food Truck.
There will also be a backdrop area available for owners to take photos with their pets.
Stewart created an Instagram page for Sir Meatball and Milkshake back in 2018, uploading photos of them dressed in elaborate holiday costumes.
She uses the social media platform to share pet-friendly places with locals.
”Meatball has a very sweet and easy personality, so I just kind of started taking him everywhere with me,” Stewart said. (That) sort of turned into a what are dog friendly things to do in Memphis?”
The “momager” also likes to highlight fun things owners can do with their pets, like skiing or visiting a baseball park.
“I think Memphis is very pet-friendly,” Stewart said. “But I don’t think people realize how pet friendly a lot of these places are.”
Stewart added that most outside dining patios, Crosstown Concourse, and Bass Pro Shops are great adventures for pets.
(Left to right) English bulldogs Sir Meatball and Milkshake have lunch at Slider Inn on Peabody Avenue. (Courtesy Mary Lauren Bobango Stewart)
While bringing a pet to Dogchella isn’t a requirement, Stewart said that it is strongly encouraged.
“Even if you don’t have a dog, if you like dogs, come on out,” Stewart said.
The bulldog owner hopes to continue Dogchella as an annual event.
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Coachella Grind City Brewing Co.Jasmine McCraven
Jasmine McCraven considers herself to be a music enthusiast and believes that she makes the best playlists ever. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State, but couldn’t wait to move back home to Memphis for the best food and culture in Tennessee.
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